Mulberry 'hires grandmas to hand knit designs'

12th October 2012

Haute couture fashion and catwalk collections may be traditionally thought of as a young person's game, but it seems that many would not exist if it wasn't for the light-fingered work of the older generation.

Mulberry, for example, employed a group of mums and grandmothers to hand knit much of their autumn-winter 2012 collection, drawing on years of experience.

The brand has just launched its Brilliant Britain Guide, which is an interactive website celebrating the country's heritage, with a special focus on its inhabitants.

One woman who was highlighted was 77-year-old Beatrice from Scotland, who, The Telegraph reports, is one of the brand's oldest knitters and from her Aberdeen home keeps busy creating garments, such as their Aztec-inspired tassel scarf.

She told the publication that she knits in-between doing household chores but enjoys a challenge.

This particular design, however, was described as being a rather "tricky one", as it involves several colours and an intricate pattern.

Beatrice was recruited with a local group of fellow knitters through Scottish knitwear design house Eribe, in order to bring its creative director Emma Hill's designs to life.

These local links are being celebrated in the guide, which also invites users to nominate what they deem to be brilliant about Britain, which could refer to a person, shop, activity or location.

Speaking to the newspaper, editor of the site Henrietta Thompson said: "One thing we are particularly brilliant at in Britain is self-depreciation.

"I think humbleness is a very beautiful virtue and certainly a very British one, but it does sometimes feel that we only shout about how great we are as a nation when there's a big exciting event happening or a huge cause at stake."

One event that is sure to make you feel proud to be British is the annual Wool Week, which you can get involved in between October 15th and 21st.